Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
International Security: Theories, Concepts and Issues
Course Code
SZF_008
Branch of Science
International Politics; Political science
ECTS
4.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Māris Andžāns
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The course "International Security: Theories, Concepts and Issues" aims to analyze the theoretical and practical aspects of international security.
The course is divided into several thematic blocks, each of which focuses on specific security policy issues. The first block will analyze the concept of security, the development of security research, the different levels of security policy, the security of weak and strong states. In the second block, military threats will be discussed (especially the Russia's war in Ukraine will be highlighted), as well as the role of international organizations in ensuring peace in the world. Current "new" threats, especially those related to terrorism and the cyberspace, will be the focus of the third block. The fourth block will conclude the course with issues related to security in the Baltic States and especially in Latvia.
Each of the lesson blocks will be concluded by a seminar, in which students will present their works and discuss them.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge of the aspects of the formation of international relations.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of International Security Studies, which will promote students' understanding and ability to navigate the problems and development trends of international security issues.
Skills
1.Ability to analyze theoretical and practical aspects of international security
Competences
1.The ability to orientate and formulate a reasoned and justified opinion on international security issues.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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The learning of the subject matter will be evaluated with the help of the following test forms:
1. participation in lectures and seminars (activity and quality of answers);
2. two essays on the topics proposed in the course description (each essay is 3 to 4 pages long, font size 12 points, 1.5 line spacing; the grade will be reduced for insufficient volume). Students can choose essay topics in any of the blocks, however, both essays must be from separate blocks of the study course and students must give a presentation on one of the topics according to the next point (only one student from each group on one topic);
3. seminar presentation – in one of the seminars, each student must prepare and deliver a 10 to 15 minute presentation on one of the chosen topics (only one student from each group on one topic within the relevant thematic block). Signup (for presentations only) – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17YVSDlWUATM-_aW3tk_sXr6f7McnFcIDO7CECR2J-IU/edit?usp=sharing;
4. mid-term examination test before lecture 8 on the information discussed in the previous lectures and in the mandatory reading material (more information about the test will be provided during the lessons);
Exam 5 – test (more information will be provided during the lessons).
Students agree that, as part of the course, all submitted work will be subject to a textual comparison with Turnitin.com to check that the submitted work is not plagiarized. All submitted articles will be listed as sources in the Turnitin.com reference database with one goal - to detect plagiarism. Use of Turnitin.com services is subject to the Usage Policy, which can be found on the Turnitin.com website.
In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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Two essays on the topics proposed in the course description (each essay is 3 to 4 pages, font size 12 points, 1.5 line spacing; the grade will be reduced for insufficient length). Students can choose essay topics in any of the blocks, however, both essays must be from separate blocks of the study course and students must give a presentation on one of the topics according to the next point (only one student from each group on one topic).
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2.
Examination |
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-
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Seminar presentation – in one of the seminars, each student must prepare and deliver a 10- to 15-minute presentation on one of the chosen topics (only one student from each group on one topic within the relevant thematic block). Signup (for presentations only) - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17YVSDlWUATM-_aW3tk_sXr6f7McnFcIDO7CECR2J-IU/edit?usp=sharing.
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3.
Examination |
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The final mark will be the sum of all marks. Knowledge will be evaluated in a 10-point system.
1. Midterm test - 10%
2. Essays - 35%
3. Presentation - 25%
4. Activity and quality in seminars - 10%
5. Exam - test - 20%
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Introduction to International Security Studies. States and their national security
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Theoretical aspects of international security
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Practical applicability of theoretical aspects of international security
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Military threats
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The role of international organizations in promoting peace
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Practical aspects of military security in the modern warfare environment
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Interaction between countries and international organizations in conflict prevention
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Terrorism
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Theoretical and practical aspects of cyber security
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Linkage and practical synthesis of different types of security threats
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Russia's war in Ukraine
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The impact of current international events on the security of the Baltic States
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Current national security problems of the Baltic States
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Current security challenges of the Baltic States. Conclusions: further development of security issues
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Consultations before the exam
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Consultations before the exam
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Consultations before the exam
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
4.00
Contact hours:
40 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
B. Buzan, People, States and Fear. An Agenda for International Security Studies in the Post-Cold War Era. 2nd ed. 2007, 145-229.
2.
Z. Šīders, Starptautisko attiecību teoriju nozīmība mūsdienās. No: M. Andžāns (Zin.red.), Starptautiskā drošība. Rakstu krājums, 2019, 90-100. (latviešu plūsmai)
3.
B. Buzan, O. Wæver un J. de Wilde, Security: A New Framework for Analysis, Boulder, London, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1998, 49-70. (Jaunāks izdevums nav izdots)
4.
O. Trēnerts, Vai iespējama pasaule bez masu iznīcināšanas ieročiem? No: M. Andžāns (Zin.red.), Starptautiskā drošība. Rakstu krājums, 2019, 66-77. (latviešu plūsmai)
5.
D. Galbreath. International Regimes and Organizations. No: T. C. Salmon, M. F. Imber (Red.), Issues in International Relations, Second Edition, Routledge, 2008, 121-135.
6.
N. MacQueen. Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding. No: T. C. Salmon, M. F. Imber (Red.), Issues in International Relations, Second Edition, Routledge, 2008, 182-194.
7.
F. Rotmanis. ANO un globālā drošība. No: M. Andžāns (Zin.red.), Starptautiskā drošība. Rakstu krājums, 2019, 24-34. (latviešu plūsmai)
8.
D. Brown. Terrorism. No: T. C. Salmon, M. F. Imber (Red.), Issues in International Relations. Second Edition, 2008, 107-120.
9.
M. E. Hathaway, A. Klimburg. Preliminary Considerations: On National Cyber Security. No: A. Klimburg (Ed.), National Cyber Security Framework Manual, 2012, 1-19.
10.
P. Pernik. The early days of cyberattacks: the cases of Estonia, Georgia and Ukraine. Hacks, Leaks and Disruptions. EU Institute for Security Studies. Chaillot Paper Nr. 148. October, 2018. 53-65.
11.
"2024.gads Latvijas kibertelpā,” CERT.LV, 2025, https://cert.gov.lv/lv/2025/01/2024-gads-latvijas-kibertelpa
12.
Ārlietu ministra ikgadējais ziņojums par paveikto 2023. gadā un iecerēto darbību valsts ārpolitikā un Eiropas Savienības jautājumos, Ārlietu ministrija, 2023 (latviešu plūsmai)
13.
Nacionālās drošības koncepcija, Saeima, 2023 (latviešu plūsmai)
14.
National Security Concept of Estonia, Riigikogu, 2023
15.
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Resolution Amending Resolution No IX-907 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 May 2002 on the Approval of the National Security Strategy, Seimas, 2021
16.
Latvijas drošības barometrs 1/2025, Ģeopolitikas pētījumu centrs, https://www.geopolitics.center/outputs/latvias-security-barometer-120245 (būs pieejams 2025. gada aprīlī; iepriekšējais barometra izdevums pieejams šeit - https://www.geopolitics.center/outputs/latvias-security-barometer-42024)
Other Information Sources
1.
B. Buzan, O. Waever, Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Security, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
2.
J. J. Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, New York, London, W. W. Norton & Company, 2001.
3.
H. J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.
4.
S. M. Walt, Alliance Formation and the Balance of World Power, International Security, 9(4), 3-43, 1985
5.
S. M. Walt, The Renaissance of Security Studies, International Studies Quarterly, 211-239, 35(2), 1991.
6.
K. N. Waltz, Theory of International Politics, Reading u.c., Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1979.
7.
M. Andžāns (Zin.red.), Starptautiskā drošība. Rakstu krājums, Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka, 2019. (latviešu plūsmai)
8.
E. Bošs. Latvija un reģionālās lielvaras: virzoties uz 2050. gadu. No: Latvijas ārlietu simtgade: scenāriji nākotnei, Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis, Kārlis Bukovskis, redaktori, Latvijas Ārpolitikas institūts, 2018, 43-60 (latviešu plūsmai)
9.
M. Andžāns, Latvijas drošība paredzami neparedzamā starptautiskajā vidē. No: Latvijas ārlietu simtgade: scenāriji nākotnei, Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis, Kārlis Bukovskis, redaktori, Latvijas Ārpolitikas institūts, 2018. 61-74. (latviešu plūsmai)
10.
M. Andžāns, A. Sprūds, Latvijas ārējā un aizsardzības politika kopš 1991. gada. No: Latvija 1918-2018. Valstiskuma gadsimts, Ivars Ījabs, Jans Kusbers, Ilgvars Misāns, Ervīns Oberlenders, redaktori. Mansards, 2018, 233-247. (latviešu plūsmai)
11.
T. Lawrence un T. Jermalavičius, redaktori, Apprenticeship, Partnership, Membership: Twenty Years of Defence Development in the Baltic States, International Centre for Defence Studies, 2013
12.
N. Vanaga, Baltic Military Cooperation: Seeking a Common Response, National Defence Academy of Latvia, Center for Security and Strategic Research, 2016
13.
“Ukraine conflict updates.” Institute of War Studies.
14.
B. Buzan and L. Hansen, The Evolution of International Security Studies, Cambridge etc., Cambridge University Press, 2009.
15.
M.Andžāns, J.Kažociņš, Three Decades of Baltic Military Cooperation and the Way Ahead, Ģeopolitikas pētījumu centrs, 2024, https://www.geopolitics.center/outputs/three-decades-of-baltic-military-cooperation-and-the-way-ahead